LtGen Thomas L. Conant, USMC (ret.)

Tom Conant is an Independent Consultant who lives in Wilmington, North Carolina. His consulting roles include Board of Strategic Advisors (Maritime) for General Atomics Aerial Systems Incorporated; Board of Advisors for KARGO UAS, Kaman Corporation; and Board of Advisors, Capewell Aerial Delivery Systems LLC.

He currently serves on the Board of Advisors for the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, President’s Council for the National Naval Aviation Museum.  He has also served as a member of the Defense Science Board on the Ballistic and Cruise Missile Defense Task Force and as a Senior Advisor to the US Navy for a classified program.

Tom recently served and completed his tour of duty as the National Commander for the Marine Corps Aviation Association and remains on the Executive Board.

Tom was the first Vice President for Marine Corps Programs in Lockheed Martin’s Government Affairs Office in Crystal City, VA.  He served in that role from of February 2017 to August 2019.  While at Lockheed, Tom was responsible for the focused engagement and coordination between Lockheed Martin Leadership and United States Marine Corps Senior Leadership regarding those Marine Corps Programs with Lockheed Martin equity.

Commissioned in November 1975 and designated a Naval Aviator in September 1976, Tom served as an AH-1J/T/W/Z Attack Helicopter Pilot throughout his career. He saw duties in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Marine Aircraft Wings. Tom served as Commanding Officer for Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167 and Marine Aircraft Group 36. As a General Officer he commanded Marine Corps Training Command and 3D Marine Aircraft Wing.

He retired from the United States Marine Corps in August 2014 with 43 years of service.  His last active duty billet assignment was serving as the Deputy Commander, United States Pacific Command.

He began his service career in 1971 with the United States Air Force where he served as an Air Command and Control Specialist, 318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Aerospace Defense Command from 1971-1973.  He has served from the enlisted ranks to the rank of Lieutenant General and Tom is a 1975 graduate of Central Michigan University (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration) and a proud Alumni of American Military University where he graduated with honors with a Masters in Defense Studies, (Program and Acquisition Management). Tom is a graduate of the Marine Corps War College and numerous General/Flag Officer professional development courses. He is also a graduate of the Harvard University Senior Executives Course in National and International Security.